The Future Is Now … and It's in Great Hands

With a mission to pave the way for more women to lead in the industry, a core component of She Runs It is to shine a spotlight on such remarkable women whose accomplishments and experiences can serve as a beacon to other women — and men. Our fourth annual GenNext awards specifically honor women under 35 who have proven themselves to be the next generation of leaders and reflective of a group who represent the current generation, as well as the next.

The inspiring 2019 GenNext honorees, along with Taylor, are: Amanda Hellman, managing director, FF NY; Leah Hendrickson, social media manager, Chicago Blackhawks; Jayvee Nava (pictured top right), vice president, community, Peloton; Amie Owen, vice president, partner, UM Shopper, UM Worldwide; Colleen Sands, senior vice president, Orion; Whitney Segel, account director, Y&R PR; and Rachel Zietz (pictured at top-bottom right), founder and chief executive officer, Gladiator Lacrosse. All of this year's eight honorees are doing incredible things and deserve to be celebrated.

I love the way Taylor described the value of this recognition: "Organizations like She Runs It and events like GenNext are important for rising stars in our industry because we need to show women that anything is possible and they should always speak just as loud as their peers. Their voices need to be heard and can't be muffled."

I couldn't agree more.

Nava, who is responsible for engaging the entire community of Peloton online, added, "If you want to make a change, you have to step outside of your comfort zone. [These events] create a real impact by recognizing women's achievements to the industry and to those who need encouragement and inspiration."

Consider me inspired.

During the awards' event, we ask each honoree a question or two about how they pursued success in their respective lines of work. Their answers serve as a master class for leaders of all ages and stages within our industry. Zietz believes that it is "important to always challenge and push yourself each and every day. That is how you grow into the successful person you want to become."

Owen, the media expert who launched Shopper UM, agrees and encourages others to "always be your authentic self." More words to live and work by came from Sands, who follows advice she received from her father at a very young age: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way. This advice was put to good use throughout my athletic career, academic pursuits, and now, in my career. Very simply stated, leadership is about taking the initiative to do it. And inserting it in every task that you do. It's part of your personality — a decision you make that stays with you through and through."

Need more inspiration? Come join us and hear more of their words. Click here to reserve a ticket to the September 12th event at Forbes in New York City.

You will not only be inspired, but you also will be showing up for a great cause. Proceeds from the event support the work of She Runs It, which is a 501C3 organization devoted to helping women lead at every level of marketing, media, and tech, as well as to reach her full potential.

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